Conditional embryonic lethality to improve the sterile insect technique in Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environment-friendly method used in area-wide pest management of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann; Diptera: Tephritidae). Ionizing radiation used to generate reproductive sterility in the mass-reared populations before release leads to reduction of competitiveness.

Results

Here, we present a first alternative reproductive sterility system for medfly based on transgenic embryonic lethality. This system is dependent on newly isolated medfly promoter/enhancer elements of cellularization-specifically-expressed genes. These elements act differently in expression strength and their ability to drive lethal effector gene activation. Moreover, position effects strongly influence the efficiency of the system.

SUBMITTER: Schetelig MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2662800 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature